A Place at the Table: Having a Voice in HIV Planning and Decision Making

A Place at the Table:

Having a Voice in HIV Planning and Decision Making Last updated: March 18, 2026

Together, we can change the course of the HIV epidemic…one woman at a time. #onewomanatatime

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Having a Voice in HIV Decision Making Your voice is important!

• What you have to say as a person living with HIV is valuable, and needs to be heard by those making decisions that affect the lives of people living with HIV, including: – How HIV funding is used – What HIV policies are put in place – How research studies such as clinical trials are conducted – How AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) are run www.thewellproject.org

Having a Voice in HIV Decision Making • Because of the hard work of HIV advocates over the years, most agencies involved in HIV work now include people living with HIV – Local and national HIV research networks, service organizations, and planning councils get advice from people living with HIV on what’s important to the HIV community through advisory groups

• Information is mostly about US www.thewellproject.org

Community Advisory Boards (CABs) • ASOs, clinical research sites, and some health centers have CABs • Each type of CAB includes people living with HIV • An ASO's CAB can provide valuable comments from people living with HIV about the services the organization offers • Some CABs are very active; others meet infrequently and have little effect • Government-funded clinical trials in the US must set up CABs. CAB members: – Offer comments about studies – Get research results and up-to-date information about ongoing trials – Advocate for study participants; help sign people up www.thewellproject.org

Community Advisory Boards (CABs) • Participating in a CAB can also help you: – Make new friends – Get a better idea of what the project or organization provides – Educate yourself: more information and skills if you are looking for a job

• If you’re not sure whether you have anything to offer the CAB, talk to people who are already CAB members • They may help you identify strengths that you didn’t know you had!

• Contact your local ASO to find out if it has a CAB and how you can join

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HIV Planning Councils and HIV Care Consortia • US-specific • Guide spending of money from US Ryan White Program • Some appoint members; others have more open membership – Members may include medical providers, public health officials, staff from community-based organizations, and people living with HIV – Even if you are not a member, you can present about the needs of your community to the council or consortium

• Contact local council or consortium to find out about the application process

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HIV Planning Councils • Located in urban areas with a large number of people living with HIV • Set priorities for distribution of government funding based on services most needed by local people living with HIV • Members attend full council meetings regularly and usually participate on at least one council committee • Time commitment: 4-10 hours/month

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HIV Care Consortia • Regional or statewide planning groups in more rural areas • Provide a broad-based community response to the HIV epidemic in their region • Ensure that high-quality, comprehensive health, support services are available to people living with or affected by HIV • Meet at least every three months; many members participate on at least 1 committee • Time commitment: 1-5 hours/month

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Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) IRBs are also known as Ethical Review Boards (ERBs) or Independent Ethics Committees (IECs) • Exist internationally • Protect study participants by making sure trials are safe and ethical – an IRB can stop a trial that is not run properly – Made up of health care providers, lawyers, statisticians, researchers, clergy members, ethicists, community advocates, others – All US research hospitals or centers conducting studies must have IRBs – All trials are reviewed and approved by the IRB before they begin

• Other countries also have ethics committees – Design and function vary by country www.thewellproject.org

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) • As a member of an IRB, be prepared to:

– Spend many hours reading trial designs, attending meetings, talking with other IRB members – It is important that people living with HIV be involved in IRBs; other members and researchers need to hear your concerns and priorities – Time commitment: big. An IRB is probably not the easiest way to get started in community advocacy, but it is an excellent way to learn a lot!

• To find out about IRB opportunities and application requirements, contact clinical trial sites where you live • To locate HIV clinical trial sites near you, go to: – CenterWatch (worldwide) – HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks (US only) www.thewellproject.org

Boards of Directors (BOD) • All not-for-profit ASOs have a board of directors (BOD) – Legal and financial responsibility for organization – Sets policy, hires and fires the executive director – Makes sure the organization is serving its chosen mission – Time commitment: 2-4 hours/month – meetings, activities

• Many boards require members to give or raise a certain amount of money – Some BODs make exceptions so that they can include people who have valuable things to offer but cannot help raise money – If you would like to join the board of a local ASO, set up a meeting with the board's chairperson (sometimes called the president) or the organization's executive director www.thewellproject.org

Tips for Successful Advocacy • Community involvement is an important way of helping HIV groups serve their purpose • Being an advocate on a board/planning council can be very rewarding – It allows you to give your opinion and stand up for what you feel is important to you and your community

• However, it also adds extra responsibilities and takes up some of your time

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Tips for Successful Advocacy • Tips to help balance your physical and emotional health with your advocacy efforts: – Remember, you and your health come first – Think about what you want to achieve before joining a group – Limit yourself to only those projects you can complete – Work with people who understand the issues and support your efforts – Try not to let disagreements become personal – Learn from long-time advocates – Think before you speak!

– Do not to let advocacy help to give yourself power over other people – Recognize that you have a voice. Your experiences are valid!

– Try to get people with diverse experiences onto the board or council www.thewellproject.org

Learn More!

• To learn more about these topics, please read the full fact sheets: – How to Be an Advocate for Yourself and Others – A Place at the Table: Having a Voice in HIV Planning and Decision Making – Stress Management

• For more fact sheets and to connect to our community of women living with HIV, visit:

– www.thewellproject.org – @thewellprojecthiv.bsky.social – www.facebook.com/thewellproject – www.instagram.com/thewellprojecthiv/ – www.threads.net/@thewellprojecthiv – www.youtube.com/thewellprojecthiv

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